Song Yaozhu smacked her lips, feeling a little displeased at being forced into this situation, but without any complaints.

She quite liked Granny Qin. Although she was a servant, the affection in her eyes when she looked at Xie Liwei was genuine.

How come she didn't know there was such a person in her hometown before?

Song Yaozhu tilted her head in confusion for a moment, then sat in the room for a while. Just then, Granny Qin rushed into the room excitedly, "Your Highness, people from our hometown have arrived! Let's go out and meet them!"

Song Yaozhu froze for a moment, then lifted her skirt and ran out.

Granny Qin and Caijin and Caiyin followed closely behind her, jogging all the way to the door of the study. They heard someone talking inside, and the voice was cheerful and bold, penetrating her body and reaching the depths of her soul.

Her heart, which had been filled with excitement, was instantly covered by coldness. She stood frozen at the door, staring at it in silence.

She is now Song Yaozhu, she is no longer Xie Wanqing. And those people inside the door are just Xie Wanqing's relatives.

Cai Jin trotted up and saw the princess standing at the door in a daze. She pushed the door open for her, lifted the cotton curtain, and Song Yaozhu took a deep breath and went in with a thoughtful smile on her face.

The men inside the room all looked at her.

Father, eldest uncle, clan chief, cousin...

They are all fine.

Song Yaozhu's eyes were a little wet, and she bowed her head to everyone.

"Sister-in-law, no need to be so polite, please get up!" Xie's cousin said heartily. He took out a red envelope from his pocket and handed it to her, saying apologetically, "When you and Li got married, I was too busy with the clan school to attend. Li did send some wedding wine home, though. We'll hold a banquet there when you return to your hometown to visit your family!"

Song Yaozhu felt a lump in her throat, clutched the red envelope in her hand, and thanked him in a muffled voice.

Then, several elders also gave red envelopes, and Song Yaozhu greeted them one by one and offered them tea.

Xie Liwei watched her handle the situation calmly and composedly, almost without finding fault. But he always felt that this wasn't her true emotion; beneath her fake smile, something was already causing her turmoil.

Why?

Xie Liwei suddenly grabbed her hand and led her to Xie Lu.

"Your Highness, please offer Father another cup of tea. Your elder sister is not here, and you resemble her so much that you should show your filial piety on her behalf."

His words plunged everyone in the room into silence and awkwardness.

Xie Wanqing is Xie Lu's only daughter. He lost his wife early in life and his daughter in middle age. Xie Liwei never mentions Xie Wanqing in front of him, so as not to touch his sore spot.

But today, his words were truly awful. They not only struck a nerve with Xie Lu, but also embarrassed Song Yaozhu.

Song Yaozhu looked at Xie Liwei in disbelief, but his eyes remained cold and indifferent. His words were like a knife to her heart!

Song Yaozhu twisted her wrist to break free from Xie Liwei's hand and turned her head to take the teacup that Caijin handed over.

Caijin noticed that the princess's hands were trembling, and she also felt that the prince had gone too far today. But the prince was always considerate in his dealings with others, and he must have his reasons.

"Please have some tea, Father." Song Yaozhu handed over a teacup. Xie Lu hummed in agreement, took the teacup but did not drink.

"Alright, we've served the tea. Let's go for a walk. Didn't you say there are some people taking exams up ahead? Let's go see how good those kids are. If they're really good, taking one of them on as a student wouldn't be a bad idea."

"Father, this way please." Xie Liwei didn't look at Song Yaozhu and led Xie Lu and the others out the door.

Song Yaozhu didn't follow. She was clutching several red envelopes in her hand, her heart aching as if all her strength had been drained away.

Granny Qin hurriedly stepped forward and asked her, "Is Your Highness feeling unwell?"

“A little.” She stretched out her hands and leaned over the desk, her back hunched, as if in great pain.

"Your Highness, please bear with it! This old servant will go and summon the royal physician!" Granny Qin was anxious. Just as Caijin lifted the cotton curtain to go out, Song Yaozhu called her back.

"No need, I just ran too fast and got a stitch in my side. I'll be fine after a while."

She waved for them to leave, then sat alone in the study, her thoughts and feelings in turmoil.

Xie Lu went outside and asked Xie Liwei, "Is there something wrong with your princess?"

Xie Liwei is an extremely filial child, and what he just said must have been a test for Song Yaozhu.

Xie Liwei told Xie Lu and the others about Song Yaozhu's false identity, and they all fell silent.

“Then why doesn’t she look so much like her sister…” Xie Mingyue, Xie’s cousin, said. When he saw Song Yaozhu just now, he really thought he saw his sister for a moment. “Speaking of which, Ali, you married a princess who looks so much like your elder sister. Can you sleep at night?”

He was simply curious, and then Xie Lu glared at him.

Xie Lu was starting to regret his decision; why had he raised Xie Liwei like a son? He should have made him his child groom! Ah Li was so much better than that Yuwen Wuji!

"What you should be most concerned about is her motive. If she came to kill him, then you need to be careful not to get involved with her."

Xie Liwei smiled and said he knew. He never told Xie Lu his thoughts, letting him believe that his daughter had died in an accident. Such a good father as Xie Lu shouldn't be allowed to live with hatred in his next life.

"Let's go, let's go see those children!"

Xie Mingyue put her arm around Xie Liwei's shoulder and sighed, "Sigh, we rushed here from our hometown a long time ago, saying we wanted to celebrate the New Year with you, but the snow was too heavy and we missed it, and the city gates were closed!"

His tone was full of annoyance and regret, "Tonight, the two of us brothers are going to drink until we drop!"

"Alright, I'll listen to you, brother."

Once inside the study, Song Yaozhu calmed down. The sound of her father's hearty laughter kept echoing in her mind, which strengthened her resolve not to acknowledge her relatives.

They must not acknowledge each other until she has successfully taken her revenge.

She had considered whether to let go of her hatred, reunite with her family, and live a peaceful and happy life. But if she let go of her hatred, would Yuwen Wuji still harbor resentment towards the Xie family?

Won't.

Since that's the case, then let her experience the pain of not recognizing someone she meets alone.

From our brief encounter, it was clear that Father, now a teacher, has emerged from that painful period. He has already lost his daughter once; he cannot endure such pain a second time.

"Granny, how long will Father and the others stay in the capital?" She regained her composure and went out.

When Granny Qin saw that she was indeed alright, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"Master and several teachers have come to the capital this time not only to visit the Prince, but also to discuss the students of Nanshan Academy's upcoming spring imperial examinations and the opening of a branch academy in the capital. They'll probably be staying for a few months, and the Prince's residence will be quite lively during these months!" she said happily.

He immediately realized that he had not taken the princess's feelings into account, and hurriedly looked at Song Yaozhu nervously, afraid that she would dislike the prince's relatives.

But the princess looked delighted and very happy.

Does she...like this father-in-law that much?